Portcullis Walkers raised £1,600

The Portcullis Hillwalkers have done it again raising �1600 for Hounds for Hereos. The cheque was presented at the bar on Friday and pictured are, from left, back - Don Newlands, Jim Lyons and Andy Turner: front - Joyce Newlands, Andy Houldsworth acepting the cheque and Lorraine Williams from the Portcullis.

Published:06:00Friday 27 July 2012

THE PORTCULLIS Hillwalkers have done it again, raising £1,600 for Hounds for Heroes.

A cheque was presented to Andy Houldsworth representing the charity at the bar on Friday by Lorraine Williams and Joyce Newlands.

The money was raised by Jim Lyons, Don Newland and Andy Turner who completed the TGO Challenge, a hillwalk from the west to the east coast of Scotland covering a distance of about 280 kilometres.

This was not the first time the Portcullis trio have completed the trek, but this year’s event was certainly one of the most challenging. An excerpt from TGO’s final report gives an idea why.

It stated: “Walkers met swollen burns and unfordable rivers. Some were pinned to the ground, others blown down or even picked up by the winds.

“Challengers were stranded in tents waiting for rivers to subside or took lengthy detours to avoid the worst obstacles.”

However, the Portcullis walkers battled on through the extreme conditions where others gave up and dropped out and in completing the course raised the amazing sum of £1,600 for their chosen charity, Hounds for Heroes.

This is a relatively new organisation which buys and trains assistance dogs for men and women from the armed forces and civilian emergency services injured in the line of duty.

The dogs are highly trained to perform a large number of tasks that a disabled person would find it difficult or impossible to do themselves.

More information and examples can be found on their website: houndsforheroes.com

Jim, Don and Andy extended thanks to all within the community who had helped them raise the money, with special mention to Community Meals, workers at Northern Tool and Gear Co. Ltd., and the staff and customers of the Portcullis.